Lula Warns of Retaliation as Trump Imposes 50% Tariffs on Brazil

“Brazil is a sovereign country with independent institutions that will not accept being taken for granted by anyone,” Lula said. In a forceful statement, he defended the country’s legal system and said the U.S. has had a trade surplus of more than $410 billion with Brazil over the past 15 years.

Trump cited what he called unfair treatment of Brazilian former President Jair Bolsonaro , who is on trial accused of trying to overturn his 2022 election loss, as he announced the new 50% duties on import goods from the South American nation, showing that personal grudges rather than simply economics are sometimes driving his use of tariffs.

US official says Ukraine weapons were reviewed, not paused A White House official said Wednesday that the Pentagon never announced a “pause” in shipments of weapons to Ukraine but rather a review to ensure U.S. military support aligns with its defense strategy. The official was not authorized to address the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Earlier Wednesday two U.S. officials said Trump administration has resumed sending some weapons to Ukraine, a week after the Pentagon directed that some deliveries be paused. The officials also spoke on condition of anonymity, to provide details that had not been announced publicly.

In a briefing with reporters last week, Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said he could not “go into detail about what weapons were paused and when and what we’re providing and when. Ultimately, the president and the secretary will make those decisions about what happens with those weapon systems.”

— Tara Copp

Trump taps transportation secretary as interim NASA administrator Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy will temporarily add that to his duties after the president withdrew the nomination of tech billionaire Jared Isaacman, an Elon Musk associate.

Trump made the announcement Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, saying Duffy will be “a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, even if only for a short period of time.”

Trump withdrew Isaacman’s nomination in May, citing a review of his “prior associations.”

In a public rebuke of Musk on social media on Sunday, Trump said he was surprised to find that Isaacman was a “blue blooded Democrat” who never contributed to a Republican.

Trump adds 50% tariff on copper imports The president said he plans to impose the 50% tax in hopes of boosting U.S. production of the crucial metal .

Trump announced the tariff Wednesday on his Truth Social platform and noted that copper is needed for semiconductors, aircraft and batteries and is the second most used material by the Department of Defense.

“America will, once again, build a DOMINANT Copper Industry,” he said.

Trump floated a copper tariff in a February presidential action warning that China dominates global copper refining, which he called a threat to national security.

The tariff is to take effect Aug. 1 on top of existing 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Southern California bishop suspends Mass obligation due to immigration fears San Bernardino Bishop Alberto Rojas, who leads more than 1.5 million Catholics, has formally excused parishioners from their weekly obligation to attend Mass following immigration detentions on two parish properties in the diocese.

The dispensation is a move usually reserved for extenuating circumstances, like the height of the COVID-19 pandemic . But Rojas says it’s necessary because of people’s fears of possible detention and deportation.

“There is a real fear gripping many in our parish communities that if they venture out into any kind of public setting they will be arrested by immigration officers,” Rojas said Wednesday in a statement.

“Sadly, that includes attending Mass. The recent apprehension of individuals at two of our Catholic parishes has only intensified that fear. I want our immigrant communities to know that their Church stands with them and walks with them through this trying time.”

In early June the Trump administration significantly ramped up immigration arrests and raids in Southern California, with federal agents conducting sweeps in workplaces and public spaces and apprehending hundreds.

Brazil president says Trump tariffs would trigger economic response President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva responded in a forceful statement that said the president’s 50% tariffs on goods from Brazil would trigger the country’s economic reciprocity law.

The law allows trade, investment and intellectual property agreements to be suspended for countries that harm the South American nation’s competitiveness.

Lula noted that the U.S. has had a trade surplus of more than $410 billion with Brazil over the past 15 years.

“Brazil is a sovereign country with independent institutions that will not accept being taken for granted by anyone,” Lula said.

A surprise IRS move on political endorsements divides faith leaders and legal experts The move , which would let pastors back political candidates from the pulpit without losing their organization’s tax-exempt status, is drawing praise from conservatives and even some progressive religious groups but concern from other faith leaders, along with tax and legal experts.

A 1954 tax code provision, the Johnson Amendment , says churches and other nonprofits can lose their exempt status if they participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. The rule was rarely enforced.

The IRS did not go as far as calling for its repeal but said in court documents that good-faith communication by a church to its flock does not amount to “intervening” or affecting a campaign outcome.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Trump called the IRS’ assessment “terrific.”

While some congregations see a new freedom to speak candidly about candidates, others see openings for campaign finance corruption, new pressures on religious leaders and entanglement between church and state.